A tsunami triggered by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake thousands of miles away in Canada has hit the island chain of Hawaii, without causing major damage. Emergency sirens sounded to alert residents late on Saturday, and people were ordered out of of low-lying areas. The first waves were reported to be up to 2.5ft (76cm) in one area, but were generally smaller than expected. Hours later, the tsunami warning was downgraded and the state governor said Hawaii could count its blessings. Wave heights of three to six feet had been predicted in some areas. The quake struck 125 miles (200km) south-west of the Canadian town of Prince Rupert at a depth of 11 miles (18km), said the US Geological Survey.

While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not initially expect a threat beyond the immediate area, it later warned that a tsunami had been generated "that could cause damage along the coastline of all islands in the state of Hawaii." The centre called for urgent action to protect lives and property. People living in areas considered to be at risk were urged to move to higher ground. First waves hit the archipelago, made up of hundreds of islands spread over some 1,500 miles, from around 22:30 local (08:30GMT). A senior scientist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, Gerard Fryer, told journalists that while the tsunami had arrived as predicted, he had been "expecting it to be a little bigger."

A civil defence source tweeted that Wailoa Harbor on Hawaii island was reporting 4ft waves every six minutes. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, in an announcement posted at 00:54 local, that the tsunami warning was cancelled. "Based on all available data, the tsunami threat has decreased and is now at the advisory level and not expected to increase. "Sea level changes and strong currents may still occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbours and marinas. The threat may continue for several hours," it said.

Useful Searches

About USMessageBoard.com

USMessageBoard.com was founded in 2003 with the intent of allowing all voices to be heard. With a wildly diverse community from all sides of the political spectrum, USMessageBoard.com continues to build on that tradition. We welcome everyone despite political and/or religious beliefs, and we continue to encourage the right to free speech.

Come on in and join the discussion. Thank you for stopping by USMessageBoard.com!